Review of Thai Airways First Class

Royal First Class passengers receive dedicated curbside luggage assistance and porter service through exclusive check-in areas, fast-track security and immigration, and onto the lounge. A combined luggage allowance of 50 kilogrammes applies for checked luggage, with one permitted piece of hand luggage not exceeding 7 kilogrammes plus one personal item such as a handbag.

Unfortunately, Thai Airways has not reopened the Royal First Lounge in Bangkok. Instead, Royal First Class passengers can relax in the recently opened Royal Orchid Prestige Lounge, located on level 3 at Concourse D. Although the large lounge is spread over a wide area and shared with Royal Silk Star Alliance Business Class and Royal Orchid Plus passengers, an exclusive wing is reserved exclusively for Royal First Class passengers. Here, passengers can relax in spacious and comfortable surroundings or avail themselves of one of a spacious Private Room — complete with a couch to lie down, several other seats to choose from and a large television — available on a first-come-first-served basis. An extensive à la carte menu offers a wide range of choices and an enticing display of self-serve savoury and sweet buffet treats. Passengers also have the use of two spacious shower suites and spotlessly clean washrooms. Sadly, the Royal Orchid Spa is also currently closed.

Before departure, airline representatives escort Royal First passengers through the busy departure gate and swiftly onto the aircraft without any fuss or delay.

First Class cabins are only available on three new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft acquired in 2022. Eight First Class seats are located at the nose of the aircraft in a 1-2-1 configuration, creating a quiet cabin environment with plenty of personal space.

The open suites are tastefully designed in a colour scheme of white, beige, and gold hues inspired by Thailand's cultural heritage.

Each suite offers a comfortable and relaxing space. Although a door does not fully enclose the suites, retractable head-height aisle screens and central dividers on the middle seats enhance privacy when required. The 23-inch (58 centimetres) wide seats offer five preset recline angles at the touch of a button for ultimate comfort and convert into a 78-inch (198 centimetres) fully lie-flat bed for a relaxing sleep.

An ottoman seat is located beneath the 24-inch (61 centimetres) TV monitor at the end of each suit, allowing companion dining from the extra-wide sliding dining table that also acts as a great workspace. The two central connecting suites are forward-facing rather than offset, making them the perfect choice for couples or passengers travelling together. Conversely, solo passengers will prefer the window seats for more privacy. Large overhead bins provide ample storage space above the window seats, yet the ottoman seat lifts, allowing for additional decent-sized storage. Further enclosed storage for smaller items is found beside the entertainment screen. A narrow wardrobe on the aisle side of the suite contains a pull-out hanger for stowing jackets, and a literature tray keeps magazines and papers tidy.

A second narrow storage holder at the side of the seat contains AC power and USB outlets, and a second USB outlet is next to the headphone jack. A convenient handheld IFE controller is tucked away neatly next to the touchscreen LCD seat controls.

Each suite has a cushion and pillow, a pair of comfy slippers, a headset for the IFE monitor, an amenity kit and a bottle of water. The cabin crew prepares the bed with turndown service using soft Thai Airways-branded blankets stored in the ottoman while passengers slip into their soft cotton pyjamas, which are handed out soon after departure.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes images, videos and seat maps for most airlines and aircraft Search results also include details such as seat pitch, width and recline. This way you can see the seat and cabin configuration of the flight in which you are interested, before making your choice.

The cabin crew set the large table with crisp white pressed Thai-branded table linen with gold accents, staying on brand and adding a little extra finesse. The dine-on-demand service begins with a tasty amuse-bouche and a glass of Champagne, wine, or a drink of choice. An assortment of warm oven-baked bread accompanies the service throughout.

Next, an impressive caviar service is offered in an attractive open seashell presentation with all the accoutrements and condiments, including a Mother of Pearl caviar spoon, chopped shallots, chopped egg yolks and whites, sour cream and chives, a thick wedge of lemon, and crispy Melba toast. Chilled Stolichnaya Vodka in a frozen shot glass completes this delicious course.

Delicately prepared and beautifully presented appetizers are followed by a rotational choice of four main course dishes, typically consisting of poultry, meat, beef steak, or fish dishes. Expect a selection of high-quality produce such as lobster, wagyu tenderloin, sea bass, scallops, tiger prawns, rack of lamb, and classic Thai curries.

An assortment of cheeses follows before the final sweet dish of Asian or Western-style treats is served. 

Thai Airways' inflight service is excellent, with the friendly, attentive crew individually serving each course from trays.

An all-day dining option is available throughout the flight, and a second pre-landing meal service is provided on longer flights with fresh fruit and breakfast selection, including eggs Benedict, Thai/Chinese-style breakfast or a sweet breakfast choice.

Passengers can view and pre-order meal options online 72 hours before departure from Bangkok via the airline's website or the Thai Contact Centre. Special meal options, including child meals, are available up to 24 hours before departure from the airline's website.  

Royal First Class passengers enjoy a pre-departure welcome drink of Champagne, juice or the signature 'Violet Bliss' – a Butterfly pea limeade. A printed menu handed out before departure details the extensive list of beverages on offer, including Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle Champagne. The cabin crew are always on hand to top up your glass.  

There is a choice of three red and three white wines, plus a selection of cocktails, such as Bloody Mary, Gin & Tonic and Screw Drivers, plus top-shelf spirits, including Bombay Saphire, Bailey's, Jim Beam, Bacardi, Glenfiddich 18 Year Old, Stolichnaya vodka, and beer. There is a good selection of tea, including Thai iced tea with grass jelly and sustainably produced aromatic Black Silk Blend premium drip coffee, specially produced for Thai Airways and prepared onboard by trained Baristas. Hot chocolate, soft drinks, Thai's signature drinks of Tamarind Tea and 'Violet Bliss', and Perrier sparkling water complete the beverage menu.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on which Champagne is served in Business Class and First Class on many airlines. We do our best to keep track of any changes, but feel free to let us know if there is something we missed.

The inflight service makes First Class travel stand out, and Thai Airways service is among the best, with personable and sincere cabin crew on hand throughout the flight to cater for every requirement with attentive care and respect. Passengers are greeted by name and escorted to their seats, where they are served a welcome drink of Champagne, tropical juice, or the signature drink. A small box of chocolates and a warm, scented hand towel await them at the seat. There is nothing too much to ask, and the cabin crew clearly takes pride in their airline. The female cabin crew look spectacular in their Thai national dress uniforms – the Thai Ruean Ton.

The 24-inch (61 centimetres) High-Definition IFE screen isn't as large or state-of-the-art as some others found in First Class on other carriers but contains a decent amount of new releases from Hollywood, classic movies, foreign language films, documentaries, games and music to keep all ages entertained for the duration of the flight. AKG-branded noise-cancelling headphones are found in the cubby hole beside the IFE screen and do a good enough job of keeping cabin noise at bay. The touchscreen hand controller is a convenient way to scroll through the menu of entertainment from a reclined position, though the IFE screen is fixed at the end of the suite, making it difficult to view when lying flat.

Complimentary unlimited Wi-Fi is available via a code obtained on a 'THAI_SkyConnect' voucher handed to passengers at check-in.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on WiFi and inflight entertainment.

Royal First passengers receive a hard-cased, metallic-looking amenity kit from Porsche Design. It contains products and accessories from French cosmetic brand PAYOT Paris to help passengers feel refreshed. Inside, you'll find a dental kit, lip balm, body lotion, facial mist, Eau de Toilette, a face mask, brush, travel socks, and ear plugs. Flight socks accompany the pyjamas made by Italian-based fashion brand Boggi Milano, which are packaged in a drawstring pouch and provide soft, luxurious comfort. 

Royal First Class is only available on three long-haul routes. Regional flights using widebody jets offer a scaled-down Business Class inflight service, but this will be far from the elevated standards of First. Still, expect printed menus, a full bar service, including Champagne on most flights and amenity kits on medium-haul journeys

Thai offers a voluntary carbon offset program for customers to donate, and route planning operations make flight operations more fuel-efficient. Similar energy-saving efforts are taking place behind the scenes in corporate offices.

Onboard recycling and waste management programs reduce excess food and packaging, supported by pre-ordered meals. Female cabin crew now wear a concept uniform called "From Purple to Purpose," comprising 70% recycled plastic and 30% Thai silk. Each uniform uses 54 PET plastic bottles.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on CO2 emissions for each flight. Our quality algorithms also give a higher score to flights operated by the most modern and environmentally friendly aircraft.